(CNN) - As the GOP presidential race heats up with more attacks and negative ads, Michele Bachmann on Saturday threw out a less-than-common word to amplify the political rhetoric, describing a few of her top rivals as "milquetoast."

"I must raise every available dollar between now and January 3rd to ensure our hard-charging constitutional conservative campaign – not some milquetoast opponents like Mitt Romney, Rick Perry and Newt Gingrich – wins over these undecided Iowa voters," Bachmann said in a statement to supporters.
Meaning "weak" and "spineless," the word originated as the name of a character - Caspar Milquetoast - in an early 20th Century comic strip by H.T. Webster called "The Timid Soul."

Bachmann, who experienced a brief surge in the GOP race after announcing her bid for president this summer, now polls in the single digits. On the campaign trail, she frequently boasts having a "titanium spine" when comparing herself to the rest of the GOP field.

Meanwhile, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has taken the top spot in many national and state polls, with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Texas Rep. Ron Paul following behind.

"With so much on the line for our nation, struggling Americans deserve a consistent conservative to solve our economic problems and create jobs - not the same empty rhetoric offered up by my opponents and the Democrats," Bachmann said in her fundraising pitch.

The Minnesota congresswoman will face off against five opponents in an Iowa debate Saturday night.

soundoff(35 Responses)

ngc1300

Actually, it turns out that Palin was the smart one in the whole Republican circus. She never intended to run. She just played the game, stringing everyone along, collecting money from books, movies, speaking engagements. Now she's back in Wasilla, counting her money and laughing at all the people who bought into the whole comedy.

December 10, 2011 07:23 pm at 7:23 pm |

normajean @ verizon ,com

If Ms. Bachman wasn't so pathetic she"d be funny.....It's difficult to put yourself in her mind and understand how she thinks....It seems that every time she is quoted on the news, she is more bizarre than the last time she spoke..She really makes no sense most of the time and yet she continues to show up.....WHY???
.

December 10, 2011 09:28 pm at 9:28 pm |

johnborg

She used a thesaurus to find that word.

December 10, 2011 10:23 pm at 10:23 pm |

robbga

No one wants what your are selling Michele. Your ultra conservative views are out of touch with modern day politics and needs of the good people of the United States of America. Drop out now!

December 10, 2011 11:03 pm at 11:03 pm |

Donkey Party

Leslie Redneck –

You might just be more insane than Bachmann herself.

December 11, 2011 12:00 am at 12:00 am |

SOUTHERN HOTTIE

She's got no chance at the nomination. What's her intention with this farcical campaign?

December 11, 2011 12:01 am at 12:01 am |

it is sad

Well now we know why she skipped her speaking engagement at the Veterns conference. She has been practicing her new word.

December 11, 2011 02:10 am at 2:10 am |

Marry

@ Leslie A H Redweik,
Wow, you should publish the “long good list” of Ms. Bachmann. It would be interesting to find out what you think we have missed. Do we then get to make the “BAD LIST”?
Perhaps we should just keep it simple for you: Do not overheat your brain with trying to understand what might be “good” about these nutcases – there is nothing to find! Just vote for excellence and character and class and smart: President Obama 2012 – and while you at it – vote the “pledges” out!

December 11, 2011 02:44 am at 2:44 am |

skarphace

If Bachmann really wants to support the true conservative candidate, she should drop out and endorse Ron Paul.

December 11, 2011 02:51 am at 2:51 am |

skarphace

RINO Bil: you say frontrunners and they you say Mitt, Newt and Jon? Huh? So Huntsman is ahead of Paul in your book now? You had a good point until that statement.